Pilea Help*

(Question)

 

Pilea Peperomioides.
Mother plant is very well and very fertile.
But, cuttings started showing strange marks on leaves.
Some of them bear white patches – distance between all of them is the same. More, the youngest leaf shows brown string patterned marks? Does anyone know what is happening to my baby Pilea? :(
Please help, how can I prevent and what do I do now?

(Answer)

Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners with your inquiry.

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with your Pilea peperomioides, Chinese money plant.  It sounds as if your problem is simply one of overwatering, high humidity and cooler temperatures. It is called oedema and often affects Pileas as well as other succulents and plants.

A previous post on this web site described the same problem and how to deal with it:

From the picture you sent us, and given the regular pattern of the spots, we think your plant may be suffering from Oedema. This is a disorder affecting many succulents and semi-succulent plants caused by an imbalance in water when the roots take up more water than the leaves can transpire. This excess water ruptures the cells, particularly on the undersides, and leads to water-soaked patches which then become raised, warty or pimple-like swellings or growths. As they rupture, they can have a white, powdery appearance or may become rust-coloured and appear as scaly patches. Finally, corky spots or ridges may develop, particularly on woody plants. Some of the causes of oedema are: excessively moist conditions in the soil or growing medium, in the atmosphere, or in combination, which give the plant cells an unusually high water content. Also, when foliage is reduced by the removal of leaves or shoots, plants have fewer transpiration surfaces to eliminate extra moisture. I would suggest to check that the soil is free-draining. If plants are too wet, re-potting with fresh potting medium is advisable (some growers recommend to re-pot this plant every 2-3 years).  As new leaves develop, keep checking the soil and for more symptoms of stress but we think your plant will be ok. If however, conditions do not improve, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For your enjoyment, I have added an interesting article on the history of this beautiful plant:

The Real Story Behind Pilea Peperomioides